Google Pics View Image Feature Removed After Dispute

March 4, 2018

Google Pics View Image Feature Removed After

Dispute with Getty Images

Google Images have removed the view image feature from their image library. You can no longer copy and paste images from their databank of photos and pictures. The move comes after a dispute with Getty Images who complained that visitors were able to copy and save images from their site without even having to visit.

Getty Images have been disputing the view image feature for quite some time. There are some copyright photos included in Google pics. Often, the original photographers consent was not being considered when able to download or copy for free.

Getty Images and Google have since announced a Global Strategic Partnership which includes a multi-year licensing agreement. This allows Google to use its photos and pics for its products and services.

The copyright notice is now more obvious and harder to miss when visiting the Google pics database. It is prominently placed so that it is more obvious to those wishing to obtain the image or save in Google Images for later.

This is welcome news for photographers and illustrators. However, other users are complaining in their droves. At least 300 people have signed a petition to bring the feature back.

Getty Images lodged a complaint against Google with the EU Commission in 2016. They complained the feature deterred visitors from visiting the main site in order to onto or copy images. The visit button remains, so now that the problem is solved.

They also complained they had a loss in traffic and revenue due to visitors being able to bypass the main site or sites of their contributors in order to obtain images. The ability to save and download exclusive images was copyright infringement as far as Getty were concerned.

Google search liaison officer, Danny Sullivan said that Google are removing the ‘Search by Image’ button also, however users may continue to use the search bar to submit a reverse-image query. “These changes came about in part due to our settlement with Getty Images this week. They are designed to strike a balance between serving user needs and publisher concerns, both stakeholders we value” he tweeted.

The downside for Google user experience is now having to wait for a site to load and then scroll and search for the image. It is more time consuming. Pictures and photos will be less accessible and harder to find. This is possibly why the dispute has been ongoing for so long.